The concept of the rapture is primarily found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where the apostle Paul describes believers being "caught up" (from the Greek word harpazo, meaning to seize or snatch away) together with resurrected believers to meet the Lord in the air. This event is understood as a sudden and supernatural removal of Christians from the earth to be with Jesus. Other scripture references related to this event include Matthew 24:40-42 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, though the term "rapture" itself is not used in English Bible translations but comes from the Latin translation of the Greek word used in Thessalonians. Key Bible passages about the rapture:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes the Lord descending from heaven, the resurrection of "the dead in Christ," and believers alive being caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord.
- Matthew 24:40-42 speaks of two people being in the field or bed, one taken and one left, which some relate to the rapture concept.
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 mentions an instantaneous transformation of believers at the time of the resurrection.
The rapture is distinguished from the Second Coming of Christ, as it is often understood to occur before the period of tribulation described in biblical prophecy, serving as a rescue for the church (believers) before God's judgment is poured out on the earth. Thus, the central biblical reference for the rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, with supporting references in Matthew 24 and 1 Corinthians 15, which together form the scriptural basis for the belief in the rapture event.
